Friday, 19 August 2022
Meet the JournalistsPremiumAucklandWellingtonCanterbury/South Island
CrimePoliticsHealthEducationEnvironment and ClimateNZ Herald FocusData journalismKāhu, Māori ContentPropertyWeather
Small BusinessOpinionPersonal FinanceEconomyBusiness TravelCapital Markets
Politics
Premium SportRugbyCricketRacingNetballBoxingLeagueFootballSuper RugbyAthleticsBasketballMotorsportTennisCyclingGolfAmerican SportsHockeyUFC
NZH Local FocusThe Northern AdvocateThe Northland AgeThe AucklanderWaikato HeraldBay of Plenty TimesHawke's Bay TodayRotorua Daily PostWhanganui ChronicleStratford PressManawatu GuardianKapiti NewsHorowhenua ChronicleTe Awamutu Courier
Covid-19
Te Rito
Te Rito
OneRoof PropertyCommercial Property
Open JusticeVideoPodcastsTechnologyWorldOpinion
SpyTVMoviesBooksMusicCultureSideswipeCompetitions
Fashion & BeautyFood & DrinkRoyalsRelationshipsWellbeingPets & AnimalsVivaCanvasEat WellCompetitionsRestaurants & Menus
New Zealand TravelAustralia TravelInternational Travel
Our Green FutureRuralOneRoof Property
Career AdviceCorporate News
Driven MotoringPhotos
SudokuCodecrackerCrosswordsWordsearchDaily quizzes
Classifieds
KaitaiaWhangareiDargavilleAucklandThamesTaurangaHamiltonWhakataneRotoruaTokoroaTe KuitiTaumarunuiTaupoGisborneNew PlymouthNapierHastingsDannevirkeWhanganuiPalmerston NorthLevinParaparaumuMastertonWellingtonMotuekaNelsonBlenheimWestportReeftonKaikouraGreymouthHokitikaChristchurchAshburtonTimaruWanakaOamaruQueenstownDunedinGoreInvercargill
NZ HeraldThe Northern AdvocateThe Northland AgeThe AucklanderWaikato HeraldBay Of Plenty TimesRotorua Daily PostHawke's Bay TodayWhanganui ChronicleThe Stratford PressManawatu GuardianKapiti NewsHorowhenua ChronicleTe Awamutu CourierVivaEat WellOneRoofDriven MotoringThe CountryPhoto SalesNZ Herald InsightsWatchMeGrabOneiHeart RadioRestaurant Hub

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.
New Zealand

Lawyers seeking more Covid safety measures at Court

2 Mar, 2022 04:39 AM5 minutes to read
Lawyers are pressing for additional measures to stop a Covid-19 outbreak at the Christchurch courts. Photo / NZME

Lawyers are pressing for additional measures to stop a Covid-19 outbreak at the Christchurch courts. Photo / NZME

David Clarkson
By
David Clarkson

Open Justice multimedia journalist, Christchurch

VIEW PROFILE

Christchurch lawyers are pressing for more Covid-19 safety measures to be enforced at the Christchurch Court House and have put their concerns to the Ministry of Justice.

The president of the Canterbury Criminal Bar Association, lawyer Nicki Hansen, said the chances of a major outbreak at the court was "ridiculously high".

Chief Justice Helen Winkelmann has issued a letter to members of the legal profession, answering some of the concerns.

The Canterbury Criminal Bar Association has exchanged letters and met with court officials to express its concerns about measures that it says are putting vulnerable members of the legal profession at risk.

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

Hansen warned: "Over the past two years we have already lost too many of our members to illness and injury. The grief remains fresh in our minds. We will not be forgiving if any of our members should suffer as a result of an outbreak at the court."

Read More

  • Judge gives fake vax pass accused two weeks to sort ...
  • Threats from the dock in Christchurch courtroom outburst ...
  • Recording of savage dog attack played at Christchurch ...
  • Man assaults partner over condiment on sausages - NZ ...

The Ministry confirmed that two District Court staff at the Christchurch Court House have now tested positive for Covid-19, but said no further details would be released for privacy reasons.

Hansen said going to court was "not like a visit to the supermarket" because so many of those attending were unvaccinated.

"Of the five clients I saw as duty lawyer over a two-day period, only one of them was vaccinated. My colleagues report similar figures. We have been advised by police that approximately 80 per cent of defendants held in the court cells are unvaccinated. The risk of a major outbreak occurring at the court is ridiculously high."

The lawyers want times for people called in to attend court to be staggered through the mornings, to prevent large crowds forming inside the building at courts and in areas where social distancing is difficult, such as the court office counter - the bail room.

They also want more court work done using video-link or VMR (Virtual Meeting Room) technology, though those facilities are limited. Hansen says that in cases where pre-trial callover appearances cannot be done remotely, remands should be allowed.

Related articles

New Zealand

Paula Bennett: I felt fine until I didn't - my battle with Omicron

05 Mar 04:00 PM
Business

Consumer NZ finds big price difference in RATs, concerns over markups

02 Mar 01:25 AM
New Zealand

Scorched earth - police shunt occupiers off lawn, fire hoses turned on protesters

02 Mar 04:20 AM
New Zealand

Wellington Covid test sites under pressure, stadium being set up instead

02 Mar 01:00 AM
TELL US YOUR STORY

The lawyers want better checking at the doors, to ensure people have vaccination certificates, and people sent for tests if they are not vaccinated and still wish to enter.

Where unvaccinated people have to be let inside, Hansen says they want measures taken to ensure greater social distancing.

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

She said: "There are a number of areas within the court building that would allow for unvaccinated defendants to be seen by duty lawyers with a greater distance between them and in better-ventilated conditions, and without the need for them to mingle with the wider court population. Similarly, it is entirely feasible that a courtroom or other space be set aside for unvaccinated defendants to video-link or VMR into whichever courtroom they are supposed to be appearing in.

"The Christchurch District Court has both the technology and the space. The Ministry has a clear obligation to implement these measures under the Covid Protocol."

Chief Justice Winkelmann, in a letter replying to the legal profession's concerns, said the courts would continue to operate as scheduled, within the limitations imposed by the illness of staff and court participants. They would use remote technology when possible, and some courthouses may need to close from time to time.

"It is possible that the burden of infection in a region will be such that it is not feasible to conduct jury trials, but again those decisions will be made courthouse by courthouse," said the Chief Justice.

The rules about courthouse entry will continue, with participants needing a vaccine pass or a rapid antigen test. Those people required to attend, such as defendants, jurors, and witnesses, may enter without meeting those requirements.

Masks are required in the public areas, and recommended in the courtrooms, even when speaking, and ventilation arrangements are being audited.

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

Justice Winkelmann said: "Although this is a difficult time, it helps to remember that our courts are well placed to operate in a Covid environment. We have had almost two years of changing our operations to meet the needs of the moment. Most who are in our courthouses are fully vaccinated. We have access to good quality masks and improvements are being made to ventilation. Our ability to run remote courts and work remotely is well advanced."

The Ministry said the Christchurch District Court continued to follow the protocols issued by the Chief District Court Judge Heemi Taumaunu.

He said: "I recognise and acknowledge the importance of safeguarding our participants and staff, while also ensuring essential court business can continue in the event of Omicron transmission occurring in the court. The Ministry continues to follow public health advice to reduce spread of Covid-19 and to manage any confirmed cases that have come onsite.

"The Ministry has communicated with individuals concerned. In line with Ministry of Health guidelines, anyone who develops symptoms of Covid-19 or who is feeling unwell should remain at home and call Healthline on 0800 611 116, " he said.

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

Latest from New Zealand

New ZealandUpdated

Seven injured, two critically, after crash involving St John vehicle

19 Aug 12:02 AM
Video

Christchurch school head prefect wins prestigious songwriting competition

New Zealand

Fire in middle of strike on Stokes Valley road

New ZealandUpdated

Live: Hundreds still without power in Far North, Kaitaia cut off due to flooding

18 Aug 11:52 PM
New Zealand|CrimeUpdated

$300k tax evasion: Builder used company money on Uber Eats and cash withdrawals

18 Aug 11:49 PM

Most Popular

Premium
Why Cecilia Robinson is rejoining My Food Bag board
Business

Why Cecilia Robinson is rejoining My Food Bag board

19 Aug 12:04 AM
Mid-air horror: Panic on Air NZ flight from LA as masks drop, emergency declared
New Zealand

Mid-air horror: Panic on Air NZ flight from LA as masks drop, emergency declared

18 Aug 10:55 PM
Live: 400+ Nelson homes evacuated; Far North town isolated after slips
New Zealand

Live: 400+ Nelson homes evacuated; Far North town isolated after slips

18 Aug 10:41 PM

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.
About NZMEHelp & SupportContact UsSubscribe to NZ HeraldHouse Rules
Manage Your Print SubscriptionNZ Herald E-EditionAdvertise with NZMEBook Your AdPrivacy Policy
Terms of UseCompetition Terms & ConditionsSubscriptions Terms & Conditions
© Copyright 2022 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP